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Eagle Creek Park Foundation Inc

EIN 35-1434274 · Indianapolis, IN

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood78 out of 100GovernanceGood72 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT THE CITY OF INDIANAPOLIS PARKS DEPARTMENT BY PRESERVING, PROTECTING, AND ENHANCING THE EAGLE CREEK PARK LOCATED IN THE NORTHWEST QUADRANT OF MARION COUNTY.

Income
$651,033
Spending
$2.0 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
9.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
5
Volunteers
19
Highest pay
$69,908, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 78 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 211% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 72 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $1.6 million spent. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2024, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDED CAPITAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT VARIOUS CAPITAL PROJECTS INSIDE EAGLE CREEK PARK INCLUDING ORNITHOLOGY CENTER, TRAILS SYSTEM, AVIARY, AND THE EARTH DISCOVERY CENTER.UPGRADED THE PIN OAK TRAIL TO MEET ABA STANDARDS. INCLUDED A NEW PARKING LOT WITH INCREASED HANDICAPPED SPACES. UPGRADES TO EXISTING PARKING LOT AROUND EARTH DISCOVERY CENTER AND TO THE SHELTER FOR ACCESSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN ON FIELD TRIPS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.
  2. $106,777 spent. FOUNDATION PROMOTION AND EDUCATION:THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MEMBERS WITH INFORMATION ABOUT EAGLE CREEK PARK ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION, NEWSLETTERS, AND PASSES TO ACCESS PARK FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
  3. $41,748 spent. PARK PROMOTION AND EDUCATION:THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS DELIVERY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IN ORNITHOLOGY, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY, MAMMAL REHABILITATION, AND BIRDS OF PREY. APPROXIMATELY 124,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY VISIT THE EARTH DISCOVERY CENTER AND ORNITHOLOGY CENTER WHERE THESE PROGRAMS ARE DELIVERED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1980.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.